Poland pays tribute to Smolensk victims on All Saints’ Day

The Polish president’s office has paid tribute to victims of the 2010 Smolensk plane crash as Poland marks All Saints’ Day on Thursday.

“All Saints’ Day is a special time when we remember those who have died but who continue to live in our memories,” the Polish president’s website said.

The website paid tribute to late-Polish President Lech Kaczyński, his wife, Maria Kaczyński, the last President of Poland-in-exile Ryszard Kaczorowski, the presidential office staff who died in Smolensk, and others who died in recent years in service to Poland.

The Kaczyńskis, Kaczorowski and 93 others were killed on April 10, 2010, in Smolensk, western Russia, when their plane crashed while trying to land.

The president’s website also paid tribute to those Poles who died fighting for Polish freedom, as Poland this year marks 100 years since returning to the map of Europe after more than a century of partitions and foreign rule.

Poland celebrates All Saints’ Day – a state holiday – on November 1 by traditionally flocking to family graves to lay wreaths and light candles.